Sunday, November 6, 2011

God of Patience and Consolation

Now
the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward
another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and
one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:5-6

What a challenging verse this has been for me this week. I keep getting stuck at "the God of patience and consolation". This is the God I need right now.

CONSOLA'TION, n.

1. Comfort; alleviation of misery, or distress of mind; refreshment of mind or spirits;

from Webster 1828 Dictionary

Thank you LORD for being a God of consolation.

PATIENCE, n.

3.The act or quality of waiting long for justice or expected good without discontent.4. Perseverance; constancy in labor or exertion.5. The quality of bearing offenses and injuries without anger or revenge.

from Webster 1828 Dictionary

Thank you LORD for your patience with me. Thank you for the fruit of patience in my life.

Mukkove,Forgive me for my boldness, but I will speak to you from my heart because of some profound experiences I've had that have shifted how I look at my role as a mother.I used to think it was all about being the grown up, the role model, the teacher and the disciplinarian.But as I was still growing up and working through my own struggles (we all have them. That's called being human!) I felt so conflicted, like I was a failure.Then a friend came to visit.She talked to me about her son. She didn't know what to do for him. How was she supposed to get him back on track, ensure that she'd done her best to teach him truth and responsibility, etc? She really was torn. She loved how he was such a unique person, but no one else thought that of him. She felt like there must be something wrong with her because she could never focus long enough to be what she thought a mother should be.Mukkave, I felt God whisper to me to tell her to love him just the way he was. To completely enjoy him and let him know that no matter what his choices in life he had one person on earth who thoroughly loved and accepted him.I could see the relief wash over her. It was a new direction for her. But it felt right. It fit who she was and how she felt about her son.A year later he was killed in a car accident. She called to thank me for listening and giving her a great year with him.I believe parenting means first and foremost believing that our children are wonderful, whole and wise. But they need someone to believe in them even when they're doing really dumb things. They need a smile and a hug even we are totally messing up our own life and feel like we don't have anything in us to give. They need and deserve to have one person in the world who doesn't judge them. One person whose eyes light up when they come in the room, even when we've just been crying over some problem in our own life. I believe our success as parents is measured by our ability to show love and compassion, forgiveness and tolerance, not by whether or not we raise children who obey all the rules, etc. That stuff is not within our control. We can influence, not control.And you know what else? I think you're the best and are already doing a great job because you care so much!Here's to a new day where something magical will happen. Right?

Janet,Thank you for reading and for your always encouraging comments. "Have patience with all things, But, first of all with yourself." Saint Francis de SalesThis is a wonderful reminder. It caused me to consider this morning what it would look like for me to be patient with myself according to the definitions I posted. I am so thankful God is patient with me in that way, as I meditate on that it will give me strength to be patient with myself in the same way. If he's not frustrated why should I be? Right?

Betsy - Thank you so much for following God's prompting to be bold!You indeed had words of wisdom to share with your friend and for me. I know that my son needs nothing more in the world than for me to love him unconditionally, to believe in him when he doesn't believe in himself. Yet I criticize, get frustrated and so many things that hurt his precious heart. Thankfully I have learned to ask forgiveness and he loves me enough to forgive. I am learning, growing, changing - I just lose sight of it some days.He really is wonderful- it hurts us both when I forget.Thank you so much for your encouragement, Betsy. It is a new day and I will focus on loving him for who he is, as he is.